Kendrapara: With polling day approaching, the candidates of all major political parties have intensified their campaigns in Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency.
BJD’s Anubhav Mohanty has been highlighting the Naveen Patnaik government’s development projects and has been slamming the former MP of Kendrapara for ‘not taking any steps to develop the district.’
Congress candidate Dharanidhar Nayak has been playing the son of the soil card. He has pointed out the failure of the state and Central governments in developing the district and in providing basic facilities in the villages of Kendrapara.
BJP candidate Baijayant Panda has been pointing out the Naveen government’s flaws.
Bike rallies and street meetings have become the order of the day as candidates are not wasting even a single minute.
High-voltage contest
- BJD’s Anubhav Mohanty has been highlighting the Naveen Patnaik government’s development projects and has been slamming the former MP of Kendrapara.
- Congress candidate Dharanidhar Nayak has been playing the son of the soil card and has been pointing out the failure of the state and central governments in developing the district.
- BJP candidate Baijayant Panda has been pointing out the Naveen Patnaik government’s flaws.
Anubhav has been assuring voters that ‘he would not cheat the people like former MP Baijayant Panda.’
He says he would give importance to industrialisation, take steps to ensure railway connectivity and supply potable pipe water to all houses.
Anubhav said the former MP ‘did not do anything to bring industries to the district or develop its infrastructure except setting up some water tanks.’
He alleged Baijayant was a dishonest person who while remaining in the BJD always worked as an agent of the BJP.
“I do not care about Baijayant. He tried to unseat Naveen Babu by spreading rumours about his illness. The voters of Kendrapara will teach Baijayant a lesson as it is the Karmabhumi of Biju Babu and as the people of Kendrapara love him and his son,” said Anubhav.
Baijayant who is BJP’s vice-president has been going to voters saying that the Naveen government has turned into a hooligans’ party and has become a safe haven for alcoholics.
“The Naveen government is shielding criminals. Every week we hear about gangrapes, rapes and murder. Odisha has become unsafe for women and the government has failed to provide justice to crime victims. Development has taken a backseat and change is the need of the hour. This time the BJP will form government and development will come to the state,” Baijyanta said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has rejected the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme for the poor, Baijayant said, adding the state government has also not given a single farmer’s name for inclusion in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
Ujjawala Yojana has reached rural households successfully due to the initiative taken by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the former MP said, adding the country wants to see Modi as PM a second time.
Modi has strengthened the security of the country and has given a big blow to terrorists. The Centre has provided Rs 3000 billion to Odisha in the last five years, but the state government has not been using the money properly and is shedding crocodile tears, Baijayant claimed.
Congress candidate Dharanidhar Nayak has been playing the outsider card. He said the people of Kendrapara had seen the ‘fake promise of Baijayant to make Kendrapara a Gurugram.’
“Anubhav who was Rajya Sabha MP has not sanctioned a single pie from his MPLAD funds for Kendrapara. Voters are aware of this. They will vote for the Congress this time,” said Dharanidhar.
In Kendrapara personal image matters a lot. As a two time MP Baijayant spent his MPLAD funds to set up water tanks and construct mini stadiums. He managed to develop a huge support base through his initiatives.
Anubhav has been able to attract youths and women in rural pockets due to his celebrity status and has proved a crowd puller. He is also straight forward and soft spoken, and this has helped him to reach voters.
PNN